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The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, which was founded in 1929, has become a cultural cornerstone in Kalamazoo. Each year the Civic utilizes the talents of over 1,000 volunteers as it produces a diverse season; comprised of comedies, musicals and dramas as well as Youth Theatre and Senior Class ReadersTheatre productions. In 2012, the Civic created its Academy of Theatre Arts, through which educational opportunities are made available to students...

The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, which was founded in 1929, has become a cultural cornerstone in Kalamazoo. Each year the Civic utilizes the talents of over 1,000 volunteers as it produces a diverse season; comprised of comedies, musicals and dramas as well as Youth Theatre and Senior Class ReadersTheatre productions. In 2012, the Civic created its Academy of Theatre Arts, through which educational opportunities are made available to students between the ages of three and a hundred and three.

Upcoming Events

Evita

Eva Perón used her smarts and charisma to escape her dirt poor beginnings in the slums of Argentina and rise meteorically to the presidential mansion as First Lady. Adored as a “saint to the working class”, she became one of the most powerful women in the world. Full of passion, greed and ambition, Evita tells Eva’s unforgettable story....

Evita

Eva Perón used her smarts and charisma to escape her dirt poor beginnings in the slums of Argentina and rise meteorically to the presidential mansion as First Lady. Adored as a “saint to the working class”, she became one of the most powerful women in the world. Full of passion, greed and ambition, Evita tells Eva’s unforgettable story....

Past Events

Anne of Green Gables

For over a century, readers have been captivated by Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic tale of a feisty red-haired orphan who finds happiness in Avonlea. As this heartwarming musical adaptation unfolds, the Cuthberts are expecting to adopt a boy but are in for quite a surprise when clever young Anne Shirley steps off the train. Despite her...

Crazy for You

As this fun-filled all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza unfolds, stage-struck banker Bobby Child is sent to Deadrock, Nevada to close down the local theatre. But when he falls head over heels for the theatre owner’s daughter, he finds himself putting on a top-notch production to save the theatre. Romance, mistaken identities, and...

A Piece of My Heart

This powerful play follows six women as they relive their memories of serving in Vietnam during the 1960s. These unsung heroes were among several thousand American women who volunteered during the Vietnam War, serving as nurses, civilian humanitarian workers and entertainers under frustrating and harrowing conditions. Their compelling choices...

Richard III

Richard, Duke of Gloucester is determined that he should wear the crown of England. He has already dispatched one king and that king’s son; now all that stands in his way are two credulous brothers and two helpless nephews - the Princes in the Tower. And woe be tide those; the women he wrongs or the henchmen he betrays; who dare to raise...

Stepping Out

This good-natured comedy chronicles the lives of a group of women (and one man) attending a weekly tap-dance class in a dingy church hall. Each of the eight students, ranging from hopeless to barely competent, strives to master the basics of tap and as the weeks pass, the class' dancing actually improves. At first, they’re more...

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Set in the heat of the Mississippi Delta, Tennessee Williams’ explosive Pulitzer Prize winner sends shockwaves through the theatre as the Pollitt family gathers to celebrate Big Daddy’s 65th birthday. Maggie “the Cat” still burns hot for her ex-football star husband, but the disinterested Brick retreats to the comfort of...

The Hobbit

Between the Dawn of the Faeries and the Dominion of Men lives a conservative, although content hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. Like most Shirefolk, his main concerns are his four breakfasts and nine separate suppers. But when the mysterious Gandalf the Grey arrives in the Shire, Bilbo’s simple life is turned upside down. Reluctantly, the...

The Who's Tommy

Based on the iconic 1969 rock concept album, Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff’'s tale of a young boy's journey from pain to triumph is the most electrifying rock and roll musical experience to play in a theatre. The story of the pinball-playing, deaf, dumb and blind boy who overcomes his adversities has inspired, amazed, and puzzled...

Lend Me a Tenor

It's 1934 and the Cleveland Grand Opera Company is preparing to welcome world-famous tenor Tito Morelli for a sold-out, one night only performance of Otello. But when the star arrives desperately late with his ego and his jealous wife in tow, things don't go exactly according to plan. A double dose of tranquilizers, an over-sexed...

Shrek, the Musical

Part romance and part fractured fairy tale, this ogre-sized family musical is coming to Kalamazoo just in time for the holidays! We hope you’ll join our unlikely hero and his loyal steed Donkey as they embark on their quest to rescue the beautiful (if slightly temperamental) Princess Fiona from a fire-breathing, love-sick dragon. Throw in...

Grand Ole Music

“How-w-w-DEE-E-E-E!” Welcome to our tribute to the Grand Ole Opry and the incredible artists who have called it “home”. Featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and some good old-fashioned comedy, this original musical revue will celebrate the work of country legends like Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Minnie Pearl and Charlie...

I Was a Rat!

Just as the hit musical Wicked introduced us to a new perspective on a time-honored tale, so does the fun-filled play I was a Rat. Excitement abounds when a furry little rodent is magically transformed into a little boy. Given the name Roger, he faces a series of misadventures as he looks for his place in the strange human world around him....

My Fair Lady

We are thrilled to be opening our 86th season with one of the most exquisite musicals ever written. Professor Henry Higgins loves language. Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle yearns to speak like a lady. Sparks fly when his curiosity and her passionate determination launch a daring social experiment designed to turn a...

The Sunshine Boys

Theatre icon Jim Carver returns to the Civic stage to star opposite Art Nemitz and Ben Zylman in one of Neil Simon's most popular comedies. At the pinnacle of Vaudeville, Willie Clark (Carver) and Al Lewis (Nemitz) were the undisputed Kings of Comedy before splitting unceremoniously. When Clark's nephew, Ben...

The Magical Adventures of Merlin

Young Merlin, who lives with the Old Master Sorcerer and his wife, is tired of doing chores like cleaning out the dragon cage and mopping the floor. Instead, he only wants to work on mastering his magical skills. At the same time, another young lad, Arthur, is destined to become king – but only if he is able to pull the magical...

Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun

If you like great music, big production numbers and lots of laughs, you’re going to love Annie Get Your Gun. This tuneful Wild West show-within-a- show shines the spotlight on rough and tumble Annie Oakley, a backwoods gal who's plucked from obscurity, becomes the toast of Europe and falls in love with Frank Butler, the leading man of...

Irena’s Vow

Based on the life of Irena Gut Opdyke, this is the incredibly uplifting true story of one of the most courageous and unsung heroines of World War II. Germany has occupied Poland and Irena, a young Catholic woman, is forced to work as head housekeeper for a very prominent Nazi major. When she finds out that the Jewish ghetto is about to be...

Boeing, Boeing

Bernard is engaged to Gloria. And to Gabriella. And to Gretchen. With a flat in Paris and three gorgeous stewardesses all engaged to him without knowing about each other, this American playboy is flying high. But his supersonic lifestyle hits turbulence when his timid friend Robert comes to stay and all three fiancées invade his...

Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat

“It’s fun to have fun, but you have to know how.” From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that the Cat in the Hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, he is certainly fun to play with....

Good People

Margie Walsh can’t catch a break. Laid off from her job at the dollar store, she faces the grim reality that this month’s paycheck covers last month’s bills and bingo is a night on the town. South Boston is providing her the same kind of opportunity it always has: none. Rough around the edges and ready to make a change,...

The Miracle Worker

No one knows what Helen Keller’s fate might have been had she not come under the tutelage of Annie Sullivan, an Irish girl, whose sight had been severely damaged as a young child. Trapped in a secret, silent world, unable to communicate, Helen is violent, spoiled, almost sub-human and is treated by her family as such. Only Annie...

Free Playwriting Workshop

NEW THIS YEAR!
TK New Play Festival Free Playwriting Workshop – February 8th

For any playwright, beginning or professional, the only two words harder to write than “The End”, may very well be “At Rise”. This playwriting workshop, designed for playwrights of all levels, will explore a variety of...

Into the Woods

“Once upon a time…” Inspired by the Grimm fairy tales, this multiple Tony Award-winning musical takes the audience to a beguiling and dark place, where wishes come true; not free. Among the classic characters that wander the woods searching for fulfillment of their wishes are Cinderella and her wicked stepsisters,...

Arsenic and Old Lace

Madness doesn’t run through the Brewster house. It gallops! As one of the most popular comedies ever written unfolds, theatre critic Mortimer Brewster discovers that his sweet, charming, elderly aunts have taken to relieving the loneliness of old men by inviting them in for a nice glass of homemade elderberry wine. The tasty...

Peter Pan

Just think lovely, wonderful thoughts and before you know it, you too will be flying over the moon with Peter, Wendy, Michael and John. This timeless tale of the boy who won’t grow up has enchanted children of all ages for over 100 years. Whether cheering the mischievous Tinkerbell back to life or holding your breath as Peter...

Songs from the Silver Screen

Since 1927, when The Jazz Singer burst onto the screen, music has been an important part of the movie going experience. Whether first performed in a barn, in the Austrian Alps or in a smoke-filled cabaret, songs from the Silver Screen have become popular standards. Who could forget the musical treasures made famous by the likes of Rooney...

Nancy Drew: Girl Detective

The world’s most famous girl detective is at it again! Another River Heights mystery has developed at the old Van Pelt Estate, home of the Footlighter’s Barn Theater. Leander Van Pelt has died, and rumors abound of a hidden stash of diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires that has been left somewhere on his estate. And to...

Academy of Theatre Arts Fall Session

The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, as part of their Academy of Theatre Arts, will be offering an exciting fall session of classes for students between the ages of 3 and 103. Billed as a “lifetime of learning” the Academy features curriculum designed to meet the specific needs of students of all ages and experience levels.

Les Misérables

We hope you’ll join us as we open our 85th season with one of the most beloved musicals of all time. Magnificent in scope, this heartrending story of love and redemption has moved and inspired audiences around the world. After 19 years of unjust imprisonment, Jean Valjean is released, and finds nothing in store for him but...

Robin Hood

Enter Sherwood Forrest with Robin Hood, the legendary hero! As our story unfolds, Robin has stolen gold from the greedy Prince John and given it to the poor. Wielding bows and arrows, Robin and his merry men join forces to stand up for what's right. The Sheriff of Nottingham has other ideas. He sends his men...

The Man Who Came to Dinner

If you’ve ever had a houseguest that wore out his welcome, you know exactly how the Stanley family feels when one of their dinner guests, the irascible Sheridan Whiteside, slips on their doorstep and breaks his hip. During his six week convalescence, the unfriendly curmudgeon monopolizes...

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

From the award-winning authors of Guys and Dolls comes one of the most delightful musicals of all time. Set in the same era in which the television show Mad Men takes place, How to Succeed…, shines a satirical light on big business and all it holds sacred. With nothing but his little black handbook to guide him, J. Pierrepont Finch sets...

Time Stands Still

Sarah and James, a photojournalist and a foreign correspondent have been together for years and share a passion for documenting the realities of war. Theirs is a partnership based on telling the toughest stories, and together, making a difference. Forced to return home after a brush with death in Iraq, they find themselves trying to find...

Broadway Bound

The third installment in Neil Simon’s award-winning semi-autobiographical trilogy takes us back to the Jerome home in Brooklyn, New York. It’s 1949; the war has ended and Eugene and his older brother Stanley are determined to break into show business as professional comedy writers. As their parents’ relationship unravels, the...

Spring Break Day Camp

Join us for the 4th annual Spring Break Day Camp—this year we're offering Disney's The Jungle Book Kids! Spend four days of Spring Break immersed in musical theatre. Campers will rehearse and perform a Disney KIDS! 30-minute musical in just 4 days. Working at a fun, fast pace students will gain skills and learn to think fast on...

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, Jr.

Stanley Lambchop is your ordinary, everyday, run-of-the-mill ten-year-old with a normal mom and dad, normal little brother and a normal life. That's just the problem for Stanley, his life is too normal. He wants to travel the world, do something amazing, and see something no one's ever seen before. Careful what...

Michigan State AACTFest

Downtown Kalamazoo will be buzzing February 22 -24 with theatre lovers from around the state, as the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre hosts the bi-annual Michigan State AACTFest. Community theatre groups from around the state will assemble and perform one-hour cuttings of plays, one acts, or original works, which will be adjudicated by three theatre...

Sherlock Holmes: the Final Adventure

The world's greatest detective has seemingly reached the end of his remarkable career when a case presents itself that is too tempting to ignore: The King of Bohemia is about to be blackmailed with a notorious photograph, and the woman at the heart of this crime is none other than the famous opera singer, Irene Adler. With his trusted...

Grey Gardens, the Musical

This haunting, heartfelt musical brings touchingly to life both the delightfully eccentric aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Once among the brightest names in the pre-Camelot social register, these two women become East Hampton’s most notorious recluses, living in a dilapidated 28 room mansion. Set in two eras, in 1941 when...